USTA holds onsite job fair

One of sport’s biggest spectacles is coming Queens – and thousands of jobs are coming with it.
For the first time ever, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) held an onsite job fair at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – giving the hundreds that showed up the opportunity to gather information on myriad employment opportunities at this year’s U.S. Open.
The job fair was merely the beginning of the hiring process, as independent employers, as well as the USTA, will continue to accept applications through www.teamusopentennis.com. All potential employees can visit that site and be connected to all of the companies looking to fill positions for one of tennis’ major tournaments.
Danny Zausner, managing director of the Tennis Center, said the U.S. Open looks to hire approximately 5,500 positions in security, food service, janitorial, merchandising, transportation and more. No experience is necessary – the only requirement is that applicants must be available to work every day during the event, which takes place from August 22 through September 11.
“It is critical that we get people who can work for the duration of the event,” said Zausner at the job fair held on Thursday, July 7. “That is why we decided to hold this job fair. It’s a fact finding mission to show what jobs are available. We want people to visit every table and gather as much information as possible.”
Among the hundreds out there gathering info were Michael Otero and Awilda Gotay of Queens. Both worked for the Open’s food service company, Levy Restaurants, last year and both were so happy with the experience that they decided to come back for 2011.
“It was such a great experience,” said Gotay. “Everyone got along like a team. And the people who run it couldn’t have been nicer.”
The U.S. Open is also a great opportunity for students looking for a summer job that serves up some much needed experience. Chandrika Patel is a human resources student at Iona College with a passion for sports and she said that a summer job at the Open could potentially satisfy two of her interests.
“I love all sports and I felt like this would be a great way to get some fun experience,” she said. “This is a great chance to combine sports and human resources.”
For more information on all job opportunities and how to submit an application, visit www.teamusopentennis.com or www.usta.com.